Twins GM Ryan eyeing potential September callups

By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com

BALTIMORE -- Twins general manager Terry Ryan has been scouting Triple-A Rochester for nearly a week to get a better feel for potential September callups.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he's been in contact with Ryan and will talk with him again before rosters officially expand on Monday. With the Twins on the road through Monday, they're more likely to make the roster moves on Tuesday once they return to Target Field to play the White Sox.

"We'll talk," Gardenhire said. "I'll have a conversation with him. We're bringing up enough people up here to protect some of the guys bullpen-wise, all those things."

The Twins are expected to bring up a handful of position players, with top candidates including catchers Josmil Pinto and Chris Herrmann, infielder Pedro Florimon and outfielder Aaron Hicks. Minnesota will also bring up a few relievers for the stretch run with options such as Michael Tonkin, Stephen Pryor and Kris Johnson.

"We'll have arms," Gardenhire said. "We're calling up a few."

Twins No. 4 prospect Meyer exits start as precaution

BALTIMORE -- Twins pitching prospect Alex Meyer left his start with Triple-A Rochester after facing six batters for precautionary reasons on Saturday, the Twins announced.

Meyer, ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect by MLB.com, was making his last start of the season with the Red Wings. He exited after facing two batters in the second inning because he had trouble getting loose. Meyer's fastball velocity was reportedly at roughly 90 mph, according to reporters covering the game.

The right-hander was charged with three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk against Triple-A Buffalo before leaving the game. Meyer finished his first season at Triple-A with a 3.52 ERA with 153 strikeouts and 64 walks in 130 1/3 innings.

Meyer was under consideration to be a September callup as a reliever, as the Twins have been monitoring his workload this season after shoulder issues last year. But Meyer, who is not on the 40-man roster, now looks like a long shot to be recalled this season.

Vargas getting extended look at first base

BALTIMORE -- Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he's going to continue to find ways to get rookie Kennys Vargas looks at first base down the stretch, which will also give Joe Mauer opportunities to serve as designated hitter here and there.

Vargas made his sixth start of the year at first base on Saturday against the Orioles, as Mauer made his 14th start at designated hitter. It was the second straight day Vargas started at first base in place of Mauer.

"I want to see Vargas play some first base," Gardenhire said. "So it'll give Joe some DH days. He's a little beat up from a couple plays in Kansas City and I don't want to mess around with it. So this is the easiest thing to do. Plus, it gives me a chance to look at Vargas."

Vargas has made a big impression offensively in his first month, as he's just one of three Major Leaguers in history to have at least 34 hits and 24 RBIs in a debut month. He joins Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio, who had 48 hits and 28 RBIs in May,1936, and Albert Pujols, who had 34 hits and 27 RBIs in April, 2001.